New Delhi: The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the transfer of Justice Hemant M Prachchhak of Gujarat High Court, who refused to stay Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in the criminal defamation case. Justice Prachchhak will be transferred to Patna High Court.

The Collegium  has also recommended the transfer of three other judges from the Gujarat High Court, including Justice Geeta Gopi, who refused to consider Rahul Gandhi’s appeal against the conviction in the defamation case, and Justice Samir Dave, who recused from hearing activist Teesta Setalvad’s plea.

Justice Dave will be moved to the Rajasthan High Court  and Justice Gita Gopi will be shifted to Madras High Court. Another judge of Gujarat HC, Justice Alpesh Y Kogje, will be transferred to the Allahabad High Court. The Collegium also recommended the transfer of judges from Allahabad, Gujarat and Punjab and Haryana High Courts.

The Collegium consisting of Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice B R Gavai and Justice Surya Kant took the decision in a meeting held on 3 August 2023.